High-tension liquid break switch



May 12, 1925. 1,537,750

N. J. CQNRAD HIGH TENSION LIQUID BREAK SWITCH Filed June 16, 1924 '3 Sheets-Sheet .1

2206/22 0 fficfzafczifbfzma may 12, 1925. 1,537,150

N. J. CONRAD HIGH TENSION LIQUID BREAK SWITCH Filed June 16, 1924 s S heets-Sheet 2 J'ffzz/e/zz of iM'c/zofwjCo/zma May 12, 1925. 1,537,750

. N. J. CONRAD HIGH TENSION LIQUID BREAK SWITCH Filed Juns 15; 1924 5 Sheeis-Sheet :5

i rzz/azfar" M'ca/asffamva rammed May 12, 1925. 7 1,5 ,7

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

NICHOLAS J. CONRAD, OF WILMET'IE, nmmors, ASSIGNOB TO SCEWEITZEB & CONRAD,

OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF nmmors.

HIGHfTENSION LIQUID BREAK SWITCH.

Application fled June 16, 1924. Serial in. noses.

gap may be rovided by increasing the disso Be it known that I, Nrcnoms J. CONRAD, tance that t e contacts travelfrom closed a citizen of the United States, residin at to open circuit position. The device is of Wilmette, in the county of Cook and tate such acharacter that it can be easily adapt- 6 of Illinois, have invented a certain new ed for any size of gap by increasing certain To all whom. it may concem:

and useful Improvement in High-Tension linear dimensions thereof." 65' Liquid Break Switches, of which the follow- Other objects and advantages of the ining is a full, clear, concise, and exact de- -vention will appear asthe description of the scription, reference being had to the accomaccompanying drawings roceeds. Howpanying drawings, forming a part of this ever, I desire to have it underspecification. stood that I do not intend to limit myself ac My invention relates .to circuit controlto the exact details shown or described, but ling devices, and is designed to rovide a de-, intend to include as partof my invention vice of this character in whic the circuit all such obvious changes and modifications l controlling elements are carried by a suitof parts as would occur to a rson skilled able movable container adapted to occupy in this art and as would fa within the as ,alternative positions, the whole structure bescolpe of the claims.

ing so arranged that the open circuit or n the drawings: v

closed circuit condition of said circuit con- Fig. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of trolling elements depends upon the particuthe container for the switch elements showlar position occupied by the container. In in one form of switch element therein; 70

other words, if the container occupies one Fig. 2 is a transveisesectional view there position the device is in circuit closing conof taken on the line 22 of Fig. 1;

(lit-ion, whereas if the container occupies the Figx3 is a side elevation of my improved alternative. position the device is in open switching device used as aole switch;

circuit condition. Fig. 4 is a fragmentary p an view there- 76 The device is designed more particularly of; and for switching purposes in high voltage sys- Fig.- 5 is an enlarged view in elevation tems. and in its preferred form the mm of the movable contact member, the central taincr is provided with an arc extinguishing portion thereof being broken away.

fluid, to adapt the device for high voltage Referring more particularly to the drawuse. An important feature of the device ings, in Fig. 1 is shown a container comresides in the provision of circuit controlprisinga member 20 which is made of insuling elements which move due to the action lating material, such as-porcelain, and a 35 of gravity from one alternative position to member 21 of conducting material, said the othcr, and in the preferred form said members 20 and 21 together forming a eonelements comprise a plurality of butt container adapted to contain an arcrextinguishtacts, which are connected together so as ing liquid. The members 20 and 21 -are to move together into and out of circuit mounted on a bracket 22 which is provided closing position, but which are adapted to with an annular portion 23 having flanges have a limited relative movement. 24 and 25 thereon for rece ving respectively The device is also of such a character the members 21 and 20. The insulating that it lends itself readil' to an increase or member 20 is secured within the member 25 decrease of the gap between the contact eleby any suitable means as by the cement- 15 ments when they are in their opcncircuit shown at 26. The member 21 is provided condition. For example, if the device is with a cap at one end thereof which used for circuits of 2000 to 2400 volts, a closes said end permanently, the cap being comparatively short ga) is suflicient, while held in position by means of the pins 28.

with a much higher volta e a much larger Said can 27 is'of conducting m te i l, d

with an car 37 and with binding posts 38 thereon for securing the conductors 39 to said ear 37.

A contactring 40 is mounted within the member 21 being held in place therein by means of the rings 41 seated'in suitable grooves in the member 21. Thus the ring 40 is electrically connected with the casing 21, and thuswith the conductors 30, and the I contact plate 36 is electrically connected movable contact element comprising a cenl Loosely mounted with the cap 32 and thus with the conducwithin the container comprising the members 20 and 21, is a in tral rod or shaft 42 which is threaded on the ends thereofto receive the bushings 43 and 43 Said bushings 43 and 43' are each provided with shoulders 44 against which the plates .45 are adapted to rest. The bush ings 43and 43': are also adapted to receive the rings 46 thereon, said rings 46 being a spaced from the rings 45 by means of the sleeves 47,- and all said members-45, 46 and 47 being held inposition on the bushings by means oi the nuts 48 and 48' having screwthreaded engagement respectively with the bushings 43 and 43'.

Mounted in suitable openings in the rings and 46 provided on the member 43 are contact elements-49, and mounted similarly .on the rings 45 and 46 provided on the bush 45 ing 43' are the contact elements 49'. Said contact elements 49 and 49' are each provided with a conductor 50 leading to the flanges 51 provided on the members 43 and 43'. The contact elements 49 and 49' are slidable in the openings in the rings 45 and,

46, and are each provided with suitable stop members 52 and 53 which are adapted to en gage with the ring 46 for limiting the movement of said members 49 and 49 in both directions. The members 49 and 49 normally have a tendency to move in a direction to ward the contact members 36 and 40, due

to the action of the springs 54 mounted on h .each of said members between the stop membus 53 and the rings 45.-

' The member 22 is mounted in any suitable manner on an insulating member 55, which insulating member is tiltably mounted on a suitable support in a manner simibers in Figs. 3 and 4 which will be described below.

It will be seen that if the device shown in Fig. 1 is in the position shown in said figure the tendency will be for the movable contact means within the contalner, comprising the members 20and 21, to move downward ly due to the action of gravity to the pos1-.

tion shown for the parts in Fig. 1. Thus the members 49 and 49' will contact with the contact members 36 and 40 and thecircuit tact member may engage with the conducting casing 21 after such movement has taken place,.there will be a. long gap between the contacts 49 and the plate 46, the length of the ap being dependent upon the distance whic the members 49 are permitted to move away from the contact plate 36, which it will be evident, may be varied as desired in accordance with the requirements of the device by elongating or shortening the members 20 and 21. Y Y

The container made up of the members 20 and 21 is preferably filled with an are extinguishing liquid 62, and when the contacts 49 move away from the contact plate 36 the arc resulting therefrom will be extinguished by the arc extinguishing liquid. Gases may form in the container due to the arc. and in order to prevent damage to the container because of the excess pressure, a cap 56 is mounted in the member 32, said cap being merely pressed into position and being adapted to be forced out of position by excess pressure of the gases within the container. In order to assure the closure of the end of the container by the member 56 under normal'conditions, holding means for said ca 56 is provided which comprises a strip 0 frangible material 57, such as thin bakelite which is held in position by means of the scnews 58 entering the member 32. It

lar to that shown for the insulating memwill be evident that upon excess pressure the member 57 will be broken, and the cap 56 will be dislodged to permit relief of said pressure.

It will be noted that the ring 40 is provided with a comparatively large openihg 59, the member 36 with openings 67, and that the members 45 and 46 are provided respectively with openings .60 and 61 to permit passage of the arc extinguishing fluid end 63 of the member 42 and are adjustable thereon due to said screwthreadsi Positive stop members 64- and adapted to engage the members 36 and 27 respectively are pro? 'vided on the opposite ends of the member' Said stops are s'crewthreadeglly adjust-1, able relative to the member 42 and-are locked in adjusted position by-the lock nuts 66, Thus any'injury to the spring p'nessed but-t contacts 49 and 49' is avoided-due to the impact of the member 42 against the mem- 30 and 39 associate the device with the terminals,89'and 90, 'respective1y,' of the cirbers 36 and 27.

In Figs. 3 and 4 a suitable new indent; ing for a device of characteris shown,

said mounting comprising a framework which'in the form illustrated is designed for pole, top use The device, is illustrated in these figures as designed for outdoor use, and is so arranged that it is weatherproof. The device is adapted for use with a plurality of current controlling devices but only one is shown, although the operating means therefor is adapted for use with more than one, as will be clear from Fi 4. in which the upper portion thereof is broken away. The containers, which comprise the members 20 and 21 are carried upon the insulators 55 as previously described; The insulatoi's 55 are provided with stems 74 which are secured upon a. tube or rod 75 by means of a. clamping member. 73, which tube or rod has a crank member 7 6 secured on one end thereof by clamping means 72,

' the other end thereof being similarly mount ed, said crank member 76 connecting the member 75 with the shaft 77. The shaft 77 is mounted in a bearing 78 carried by the framework 70, and has a two-arm bracket 79 provided thereon. which bracket is connected by means of the cords 80 and 81 with thorn-rating handle 83 pivotally mounted on the support 84, which may be carried by the pole or other; device which may support the framework 70. Thus when it is desired to change the. position of the device 7 I from closed circuit to open circuit position. the handle 52 is swung through an arc of substantially degrees, thus swingg the. rod 75 through substantially the an-m are and swinging the members 71 from the position shown in Fig. 3 to the alternazire position with the right hand end thereof upward instead of downward.

The device shown in Fig. 1 is shown reversed from that of the showing in 3 and 4. In Fig. 1 thcrontainer is shown so that the switching means is in closed po si m when the left hand end thereof is down. while in Fig. 3 the suntclnng means is in and 43' are screwthread- Y closed, position when the right hand end thereof is down. The tube 75 has a. further extension 85 which co-operates with. two brake elements 86 and 87 suitably held in position b the curved bracket 88. Whenever.the evice is in either limiting position, the extension 85 co-operatcs "with either the element 86 or the element 87, as

the case'may be. and these elements actas a. brake as'the structure is moving into its 'l]m1tl11g p0$1t1011, and after the parts have moved into position; sa d elements act as a holding means to' maintain the de"ice in the position into which it was last moved. In order to include the switching device in circuit the flexible conducting elements the framework 70 as shown in Figs. 3 and 4.

It will be noted that the tilt-able container having the are extinguishing fluid therein has the insulating portion 20 thereof pro vided with corrugations and conducting portions 21 thereof plain. As a result. the external'appearancc of the device is such that it can be readily seen what is the condition of the contacts within the container depending upon whether the corrugated portion is in the position above or below the plain portion thereof... It will also be noted that the flanges 15 and 46 fit loosely within the tubular container or casing. and consequently guide the movements of the movable contact member.

Having thus described my invention, what I desire to claim and secure by United States Letters Patent is:

1. A device of the character described comprising a movable closed container. statioriarycontacts therein. a plurality of loosely carried solid circuit controlling members therein adapted to occupy either an open-circuit or closed-circuit position depending: upon the position of said container. a plurality of said members making a butt contact with each of said 'stationarv conta teend an arc extinguishing fluid within said container.

.2. A device of the character desc 'i- -d omprising a tiltahie container. :1 st: .m Contact and Contact means within said container shift-able into and out of circuit closing position upon tilting of said container.

said means comprising a movable member spaced stationary contacts in said container 5.;

cuit-closing position upon tilting of said container, said shiftable means comprising a. plurality of contact members making a butt contact with said stationary contacts.

4. A device of the character described comprising-a tiltable containerra -pair of and shiftable contact means in saidCorP tainer adapted to more into and out of c1r-1 cuit closing position upon tilting of said -container, said sluftable means comprisinga plurality of spring projected contact mem-v bers making a butt contaet-yvith said sta-f tionary contacts. i

5. A device of the character comprising a tiltable container, 8. pair of spaced stationarycontacts in said container and shiftable'contact means in said con-c tainer adapted to more into and out of cir-i" cuit-closing' position upon tiltingfof :said

container, said shiftable means corn rising." a plurality of contact membersimaiimg butt contact with said stationary contacts, said contact members able.

6. A. device of the character described comprising a tiltable container, :1 pair of spaced stationary contacts in saidcontainerand shiftable contact means in said container adapted to move into and out of circuit-closing position upon tilting of .said container, said shiftable means comprising' a plurality of contact members making a butt contact with said stationary contacts, said contact members having a limited relative movement. l

7. A device of the character described comprising a tiltable container, a pair ofspaced stationary contacts in said container and shiftable contact means in said container adapted to more into and out of circuitclosing position upon tilting of said container, said shiftable means com rising a plurality of contact members yie dingly mounted thereon and making a butt contact with said stationary contacts.

S. A device of the character described comprising a closed tiltable container adapted to contain arc-extinguishing liquid therein, a stationary contact therein and contact means within said container shiftable into and out of circuit closing position upon tilting of said container, said means comprising a member having a plurality of similar contact members mounted '-thereon'and a resilient mounting' for said contact members whereby said contact members engage substantially simultaneously with said stationary contact- 9. A de'vicc of the character described comprising a tiltable container adapted to contain arcextinguishing liquid therein, a pair of spaced stationary contacts in said container and shiftable contact means in being e v ymor q a carrier'having a plurality of butt conins-moor said container adapted to move into and outof circuit closing position upon tilting of said container, said shiftable means comprising a plurality of contact members makng abutt contact with said stationary contacts. v

10. A device of the character described comprising a tiltable container adapted to contain arc-extinguishing liquid therein, a pair of spaced stationary contacts in said container and shiftable contact means in said container adapted to move into and out of circuit elosin position upon tilting of said container" shiftable means comprising a plurality of individually spring projected contact members making a butt contact with said stationary contacts,

;..- 11. A device of the character described comprisinga tiltable container, a pair of i ted stationary contacts in said container and shiftable 'eontact means in said container adapted to more into and out of circuit closing position upon tilting of said container, saidshiftable means comprising tacts yieldinglymounted on opposite ends thereof.

13. A device of the character described comprising a tiltable container, a pair 01 spaced stationary contacts in said container and shiftable contact means in said container adapted to more into and out of circuit closing position upon tilting of said container, said shiftahle means comprising a carrier having guiding means on oppo site ends llICIOOf and a plurality of contact pins mounted on said carrier.

14. A device of the character described comprising a tiltable container, a pair of spaced stationary contacts in said container and hiftable contact means in said container adapted to more into and out uf cii= euit closing position upon tilting of said container, said shiftable means comprising a carrier having guiding means on opposite ends thereof and a plurality of contact pins mounted on said carrier at opposite ends thereof.

15. A3 device of the character described comprising a tiltable container, a pair of spaced stationary contacts in said container andshiftable contact means in said container adapted to more into and out of circuit closing position upon tilting of said container, said sliiftuble means comprising a carrier having guiding meansfon opposite ends thereof and a plurality of contact pins mounted on said carrier at opposite ends thereof for sliding movement relative thereto. 1

i It. A device of the character described comprising a tiltable container, a pair of spaced stationary contacts in said container and shiftable contact means in said coitainer adapted to move into and out of circuit closing position -upon container, said shiftable meanscompnsmg a carrier having guiding means on opposite ends thereof and a plurality of mounted on said carrier at oppositeends thereof for independent. limited sliding movement relative thereto. Y

17. A device of the character described comprising a tiltable container, a pair of spaced stationary contacts in said container and shiftable contact means in said container adapted to move into cuit closing position upon container, said shiftable means compris ing a carrier having guid' posite ends thereof and ap urality of contact pins mounted on said carrier at opposite ends thereof for independent limited yielding sliding movement relative. thereto.

18. A device of the character described comprising a tiltable container, a pa1r of gu spaced stationary contacts in said contam'er and shiftable contact means in said container adapted to move into and out of circuit closing position upon tiltingof said container, said shiftable means comprising a carrier having guidin means on opposite ends thereof, a plurality of contact pins mounted on 'said carrier at opposite ends thereof for independent limited yielding sliding movement relative thereto and a positive stop for limiting the movement of said carrier in either directi0n.- i 1 19. A device of the character described comprising a tiltable container, a pair .of spaced stationary contacts in said container and shiftable contact means in said container adapted to move into and out of cir-.

cuit closing position upon tilting of said container, said shiftable means comprising a carrier having a plurality of butt contacts mounted on opposite ends thereof, said contacts being adjustable relative to said carrier.

20 A device of the character descrihcd comprising a tiltable container and contact means within said container shiftable into and out of circuit closing position upon tilting said container, said means comprising an elongated body portion having flangelike mcmocls on the ends thereof loosely litting the wall of said container to gulch: the movements of said means.

21. A device of the character dcseribtzl tilting of said contact pins.

and out of cirtilting of said means on opan elongated body- -movements of said means,

comp i a tiltable container and contact means W1 said container shiftable into and out of circuit closing position upon tilting said container, said means comprising ortion' having flangelike members on the ends thereof loosely fitting the wall of said container to guide the contact pins slidably mounted in said flange-like members and resilient means for axially projecting said pins from said flange-like members.

23. A device of the character described comprising\a tiltable container and contact means wit in said container shiftable into and out of 'circuit closing position upon tilting-said container, said means comprising an elongated body portion having flan -like members on the ends thereof loosely fitting the wall of said container to ide the movements of said means, contact pins slidably mounted in said flangc-like members, resilient means for axially pro- {:zting said pins from said flange-like memrs and stops on said pins engaging certain of said flanges to limit the movement of said pins in either direction. f 24. A device of the character described comprisin "a tiltable container and contact means wit in said container shiftable into and out ofcircuit closing position upon tilting said container, said means comprising an elongated body portion having flange like members on the ends thereof loosely fitting thewall of said container to guide the movements of said means and flexible conductors electrically connecting said pins with said carrier. v

25. A device of the character described comprising a tiltable container havin substantially axially aligned sections 0 conducting and of insulating material, a ter minal on each of said sections, a stationary contact member in-each of said sections, each electrically connected with the erminal on said section and shiftable means movunlc into and out of en gcment with said contact members upon 26. A device of the character dcs'; bed comprising tiltable container having substantially axially aligned sections of conducting and of insulating material ininal each of said sections a I stat onary contact mem.,..,.

tilting said container.

sections, each electrically connected with the terminal on said section and shiftable means movable into and out of butt engagement with said contact members upon tilting said container.

27. A device of the character described comprising a tiltable container adapted to contain an arc extinguishing li uid, spaced stationary contacts, ashiftab e member tacts, said container having an opeififi'g' in one end thereof, a cap for closing said opening and a frangible strip for holding said cap in closing posit-ion whereby said strip is fractured to release said cap when excessive pressure develops in said container.

In witness whereof, I hereunto subscribe my name this lQth day of June, A. D. 1924.

NICHOLAS J. CONRAD. 

